Chapter 2 Paying the Price
949 Words
Eleanor's eyes sharpened as she raised her voice, "Martha, did anyone come into my room recently?"
Martha hesitated, her expression faltering.
Eleanor caught the subtle guilt. Her tone hardened. "What happened?"
The older woman stammered, "A few days ago… Mr. King brought Miss Reed over. She did go into your room…"
Eleanor's face turned icy, her fingers tightening into a fist.
Nathaniel had actually brought Isabella into their home — into her space.
That evening, when Nathaniel returned home, Eleanor was seated on the living room couch, her face hidden in the shadows.
Not that he cared to notice.
Intent on heading upstairs, he was stopped when Eleanor called out, "I need to talk to you."
Although clearly annoyed, Nathaniel still turned and sat across from her, voice cold. "What is it?"
Eleanor kept her tone even. "You brought Isabella here a few days ago. She went into my room, and now my ring is missing. Tell her to return it. It's very important to me."
There was a long pause before she added resolutely, "If she gives it back, I'll agree to a divorce. You two can finally be together."
She'd spent the entire day thinking about this decision.
Three years.
Three years of marriage, and Nathaniel still didn't care for her. Instead, she'd lost the loving "elder brother" he used to be.
Now that Isabella was back, there was no point in clinging to false hopes. If a divorce got her ring back, then so be it.
Nathaniel's expression flickered briefly before twisting into a sneer. "Eleanor, stop being ridiculous."
"Don't think I don't know what you're up to — dragging this divorce nonsense in front of my mother to force me to cut ties with Bella? Wasn't accusing her of stealing your ring this morning enough? Now you're using this as leverage?"
His eyes burned with anger.
"That's not what I meant—" Eleanor began, wide-eyed, trying to explain.
But Nathaniel wasn't listening.
He stood abruptly, knocking over a teacup, and shot her a venomous glare. "I've given you everything you asked for. Don't push your luck!"
With that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
The next day, Eleanor concealed her exhaustion with light makeup before heading to work.
As usual, she intended to request the files for an upcoming meeting.
But the head secretary cast her a strange look. "Mr. King didn't tell you? You won't need to handle those tasks anymore. Isabella is here now. She's taken over your responsibilities and is already recording the meeting notes in the conference room."
Eleanor let out a bitter chuckle under her breath.
So eager to replace her, were they? Afraid his Bella might get jealous?
"Got it. I'll send my resignation to HR shortly."
Without waiting for the secretary's shocked response, Eleanor returned to her desk and began drafting her resignation letter.
Whispers filled the office as curious eyes settled on her. No doubt they were gossiping about her and Nathaniel.
Eleanor ignored them.
She'd only taken this position to spend more time with Nathaniel. Now that it no longer mattered, neither did staying at King Group.
When the letter was done, Isabella exited Nathaniel's office, surrounded by colleagues eager to curry favor.
Eleanor stood quietly, watching the scene with indifference before heading to HR to handle her departure.
She'd wasted enough time on meaningless tasks.
Back when she graduated from Aurora University with dual master's degrees in finance and management, her professor had called her his most promising student, even encouraging her to pursue a Ph.D.
But she'd traded all that to be Nathaniel's housewife — managing his health, cooking porridge for his upset stomach, making hangover soup, urging him to drink less…
And in the end, this was what she got.
"Well, if it isn't the fired secretary," a mocking voice sneered as Eleanor stepped into HR.
She turned and recognized Madeline, the same woman who had been fawning over Isabella earlier.
Madeline, decked out in a floral dress with meticulously styled hair, looked more suited for a garden party than an office.
She laughed haughtily, "All that effort to please Mr. King, and what did it get you? The second his true love comes back, you're out on the street."
Eleanor gave her a cool glance. "When did this company lower its hiring standards enough to let in someone as unprofessional as you?"
Madeline bristled. "What gives you the right to judge me?"
"Company regulation 36," Eleanor said calmly, "Harassment and offensive language toward colleagues is grounds for immediate dismissal."
"Dismissal? You're the one getting kicked out, remember?" Madeline's tone turned sharp.
Eleanor remained expressionless. Most of the staff didn't know she was Mrs. King, thanks to Nathaniel's insistence on keeping it a secret.
But there was no point in hiding anymore.
Turning to the HR director, she asked, "Any issues with my handling this?"
The director, one of the few aware of Eleanor's identity, wiped sweat from his brow.
Even if Mr. King didn't favor his wife, Chairman King had made it clear that she was not to be mistreated.
"No issues," he assured, moving quickly to process Madeline's termination.
"Effective immediately," he confirmed, handing Madeline her dismissal notice.
"You're being let go for violating company policy. No compensation."
Madeline's face turned ashen.
"Ms. Blake, I—I didn't mean any harm," she stammered desperately. "It was just a joke!"
"I didn't find it funny." Eleanor calmly retrieved her departure papers, her expression unreadable.
"Please, Ms. Blake!" Madeline chased after her. "I worked so hard to get this job!"
Her groveling demeanor was worlds apart from her earlier arrogance.
Eleanor cast a sidelong glance. "Actions have consequences, don't they?"
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